president obama "questioned" whether the hiring spree "could" have been stronger. "there is no question that the shutdown harmed our jobs market. the unemployment rate still ticked up. and we don't yet know all of the data for this final quarter of the year, but it could be down because of what happened in washington. now that makes no sense." the president spoke friday in new orleans where he admitted the launch of healthcare.gov was marred by technical troubles. and suggested the state of louisiana take advantage of provisions in the affordable care act to expand medicaid to the working poor.that suggestion was quickly rejected by republican governor bobby jindal. the president went on to call on congress to approve government spending for roads, bridges and ports to increase exports from america. exports are picking up around the globe. in china -- shipments jumped in october, signaling solid economic recovery. china is now on track to meet its growth target for the year. in germany, a surge in exports is drawing criticism from european union officials. the coun